Symptomatic arachnoiditis ossificans. Report of two cases

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Spinal Pathology
• Pathology

Background:

• Spinal arachnoiditis ossificans is a rare condition characterized by bone formation within the arachnoid mater.
• It can lead to significant neurological deficits, including backache and myelopathy.
• Understanding its clinicopathological features is crucial for effective management.

Observation:

• This report details two cases of symptomatic arachnoiditis ossificans in middle-aged women.
• Both patients underwent surgical excision of ossified dorsal arachnoidal plaques.
• The cases highlight the clinical presentation and surgical challenges associated with this condition.

Findings:

• The study discusses the clinicopathological features and surgical management of spinal arachnoiditis ossificans.
• A frequent association with severe contiguous arachnoidal fibrosis was noted.
• This fibrosis is considered a major factor influencing the unpredictable outcomes of surgical resection.

Implications:

• Surgical intervention for spinal arachnoiditis ossificans may yield unpredictable results.
• Severe arachnoidal fibrosis significantly impacts the efficacy of plaque resection.
• Further research into managing associated fibrosis is warranted to improve surgical outcomes.